UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their hero the legend represented.
